Plot files

[stephenrichter]

I have a perfectly acceptable CTB file which has everything I need already set up in it and, as I do not know how to set up CFG, PCP or PC2 files I shouldn't really have to bother. Unfortunately, at every new issue of AutoCad I have to go through the process of trying to get these old ctb files back into my plot files list (on opening a drawing in a new year's AutoCad it generally gives me a "missing .ctb file" message) Bizarrely, the process has hitherto 'simply' involved finding an old drawing set that seems to have the right background codes embedded in it and copying and pasting them into the AutoCad Templates folder. This year that doesn't seem to work, so could someone please tell me how to translate ctb files to CFG, PCP etc.

I am running AutoCad LT 2017.

Many thanks

Stephen

[bob_mpc · Accepted solution]

In general, the CTB files are located in a deeply burried folder:

C:\Users\[Username]\appdata\roaming\autodesk\autocad lt 2013 - english\r18\enu\plotters\plot styles

and the PC3 files (that are actually the plotter configurations) are in similar location:

C:\Users\[Username]\appdata\roaming\autodesk\autocad lt 2013 - english\r18\enu\plotters

(Of course - in yoour case it would be not 2013, but 2017 - or something similar)

You can see them in the OPTION-FILES (see attached screenshot).

It is good idea to locate them in well-known location and change the path in the Options. Could be a network location - if more than one computer should access them.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

To access the CTBs your LT session is using, type STYLESMANAGER at the command line, hit <enter> and AutoCAd will open that folder for you. Quite simple.

Move or copy them to anywhere you wish after that.

We take the time and place all of our custom needs like CTBs in a custom folder, and simply point to it with every new version. This stops the craziness of the hunt-and-copy method you might be using to upgrade versions.

CFG and PCP are dead and gone for the last 16+ years: why do you need these formats today?

[bob_mpc]

To add to Pendean's advice - you can also locate the plotter configuration files with PLOTTERMANAGER.

However, you must point the program in OPTIONS - FILES tab to the new location.

[stephenrichter]

Thank you for your replies.
As you will see from the attached pdf, CFG and PCP files were what AutoCad
was telling me I should be looking to install if I wanted my previous
lineweights and colour tables to operate. As I'm like a driver who knows
nothing about the engine of his car, I just assumed that this was what I
should be looking for. Life was simpler when I had a CAD Manager to deal
with these issues but now I'm on my own I have to seek help from wonderful
people like you.
All sorted now. Thanks again
Stephen

[stephenrichter]

A big 'Thank you' to the various respondants - the issue is now sorted.
Stephen

[pendean]

Nothing attached.... But that pop-up offers options and choices IF you have them, it's not a prompt for you to go create those first. Glad it all worked out in the end.